User blog comment:Snowstripe the Fierce/The War of Southsward/@comment-26538658-20151202030447/@comment-1298206-20151211011850

''The further down the river the logboat went, the faster the current went. It had even reached the point that the shrew came to the decision to put his paddle in the bottom of the boat. With the current moving as fast as it was, he wouldn't be needing it anytime soon. The shrew kept a close lookout for any distinct landmarks, but his attention was drawn away by a sound that was gradually growing louder. His seasons spent on the water told him exactly what that sound was. Peeking over the prow of his longboat, the shrew was able to see churning rapids just a few hundred feet ahead of him. Acting quickly, the shrew grabbed his paddle from the bottom of the boat and began to row towards the shore. Unfortunately, he was in the very middle of the river and the fast-moving current was quickly propelling him towards the rapids. Gritting his teeth, the shrew fought with all his might to make it safely to shore before being caught up in the rapids. Too late. The small logboat was knocked about and upended as it was sucked into the watery vortex. The shrew was swept from the logboat and dragged underwater. His head lightly struck against a rock and he felt his vision begin to fade before him. He floated to the top of the water and his head broke the surface. He saw his paddle floating nearby and clung to it for dear life. Choking and hacking as he gasped for air, the shrew's limbs felt weak and powerless as the rapids carried him away. Eventually, the shrew reached a point where the river calmed and he began to float downstream. Feeling beaten and battered, the shrew struggled to remain conscious. However, he managed to spot shore just a few feet away from him and managed to paddle over to land and drag himself from the river on his paws and knees. With dry land beneath him, the shrew's limbs gave out as he lie on the ground, breathing heavily as he fought to recover his strength.''

''After several minutes, the shrew found it within himself to rise slowly to his footpaws. Tenderly, he placed a paw on his head where it had made contact with the rock and felt a knot that had risen. He winced slightly. With his boat gone, he had no way of finding his way back. He had no other choice but to push on and see if he could find somebeast who could help him. Sighing to himself, the shrew picked up his paddle and began walking into the forest.''